Maral root used to be Leuzea carthamoides and Leuzea rhapontica. Now it's Stemmacantha carthamoides.
It's also been a host of other things (Centaurea, Cirsium, Cnicus, and Rhaponticum carthamoides), and one of those, if taken without the "author" bit of the "genus species auct" completeness of botanical binominals, points to another plant - it just makes sense to include "auct." in latin names.

A question on the herblist, in February 2005:
"What I'd like to know is, what are the real virtues of maral root, outside of the sensationalized claims of bodybuilders?"

Maral root is a nice adaptogen, which reliably will raise a low blood pressure -- for as long as you take it. That figures: like most adaptogens it'll strengthen the kidneys, so your pee is less watery, so you have more liquid to keep in your veins, so your blood pressure goes up. There's no effect on high blood pressure, as far as I know. If you don't have maral root use any of the dozens of other adaptogens that strongly affect the kidneys - nettle seed (Urtica dioica) would do nicely too. Or try licorice root (not licorice candy), which is very good for your kidneys, your gut, your lungs, and your adrenals. And yum for codonopsis, even though the sulphured stuff I got last time I bought some is less tasty.

Very pretty plant, it is. And people who walk by ask "what's that"? Because it's only in flower for about a week, after which the show is over, and it's rarely grown outside specialty gardens (like a largish herb garden) so people really haven't ever seen it before.

Digging the root is major work, and as if that wasn't enough, cleaning it is even more work. No wonder the Russians dig 2nd year root instead of the far larger root clumps of 4-5 year old plants.

Don't grow maral root in clay, you'll never get the wire-like tangled roots up. I know, because a friend working on a local herb farm tried just that, a decade or two ago. They made no progress at all with a spade, and about as much with a tractor pulling the plants up. It simply won't work.

A follow-up question on the herblist:
"Do you think maral root would be drastically different or "better" than any of these other adaptogens for a certain purpose?"

Not really. If it sells for astronomical prices it's the current bandwagon - jump off that, you'll get the same zing for much less $$ from other plants. Plants that aren't the latest fad.

Comments

Hi,
I have been investigating the herb Rhaponticum carthamoides, "Maral Root". I have become quite intrigued and was wondering if you know where I might obtain some seeds/seedlings. I'd like to use this herb in my thesis. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

You can puchace Maral root starter plants from Richters Herbs & Medicinal plants locared in Ontario, Canada
Their online order page is: http://www.richters.com/newdisplay....
Just beware of import laws for your country if you are outside of Canada. I bought 1 plant & it's Extremely vigorous!

Hi Henriette - I have about 6 Maral Root (Leuzea) plants that i grew from seed that I want to finally put into the ground now (very late, sadly). Your May post said that russians tend to harvest the roots the second year (as opposed to waiting even longer, to 4-5 years). Is it feasible to harvest them after only one summer (ie, in 2-3 months?) If not, could i keep them in pots this year and put them into the ground next spring? Any advice would be very appreciated, (and i'm looking forward to perusing your herb blog further, i should add...)

I wouldn't dig maral root in the first year. It's a perennial, not a biennial.

The roots of biennials are strongest in the fall of their first year, gathering strength for the second year's flowers. The roots of perennials get stronger as they go, year by year.
(And of course, annuals don't gather strength in their roots at all.)

last year's Leuzea, along with a new crop this year, are doing well in their pots, happy in full sun and very moist soil.
I was wondering if i can propagate them via root division, and can't find any information online about it. Do you know?

(btw, I'm fermenting some willowherb today, inspired by your most recent posting. If i can't find russian Kaporie tea, I guess I'll just have to make my own...)

Hi Henriette, We also have a plot of maral root plants. I am wondering how much pounds, or kilagrams I need to send in for it to get an analysis? And how is maral root harvested? Our maral root has been in the ground for two years now.